The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1887-04-01
THE CASE OF EDWARD BELL.
A Pathctia Rsury--YOupg. Educatsd, and
Surrounded by - Charming Home Life
His Letter to his Wife and Little Gitl.

A Pathc,ias Rtnry--YOupg, Educatst, Gnt
Surrounded by y Char n,ing Home Life
Hts Letter to his Wife and Little Girl.
Some new light has been shed upon the sui
eide nj Edward Bell, OF Wilmington, Mt Jenk'l
& Rice's hotel at Hoosac Tunnel, Mass, las
Friday. The facts gathered are Of a heartrend
ing character, showing The life Ut tho suicide tC
have been lll-spent, and the rash deed brought
about by feelings Of remorse. Edward Bell left
his homo In Wilmington two weeks ago to at.
| tend the funeral Of his grandfather a promi-
mont citizen OF Brooklyn, N Y. Last Thursday
afternoon BIO stepped from the New Haven and
| Northampton train at HoOsac Tunnel and at
once went to tho hotel, where he spent that
night being apparently in unusually high spir-
! its. Friday morning be went TO the store OF
Charles G5odel, with whom he was acquainted,
| and stating that he wanted to get a present
| tor his hired man, selected Hopkins & Irc.
land double acton 81 calibre revolver, asking
Goodell TO let him have 1t on credit, as he had
! been to New York, out with the boys, and had
como homo like the rest OF them. Friday noon
he ate hearty diLnr, after which he smoked
cigar, talking freely meanwhile with Mr. R.ce
to whom he showed his purchase Ct tho morn
Ing, telling him to be careful about handling It
as the revolver was one Of the self cooking kind
He then retired to bis room and half on hour
later pisto! shot rang through tho house.
Upon entering bis room the unhappy man was
found lying on the sofa, the still smoking pistol
clasred in bis hand and bullet hole in bis
head near the right temple. About 80 O'Clock
he breathcd his last.
In an open handbag which stood in a chair
was a letter addressed to his wife, the pages
showing marks of the bitter tears be had shed
while writing the fatal lines. Following is the
letter:l
MY DARLING WIFE AND DgAe LITTLE
PREcIors EDITH: When this comes to you,
both the husband and father you have had so
much loving patience with, and the father you
would lose all respect forif we both lived till
you came to an understanding age, will nave
passed through the door opening into the great
uncertainty. God pity me and forgive me all
the heartaches | have caused you both. When
left you last Saturday He knows had the
best intentions. My bcsetting sin, the rum
fend, conquered as he always has.
No use trying TO explain what l did, for |
don't know. Sunday morning when woke up
was not among friends, but found myself in a |
downtown hotel minus money, your diamond |
ring, watch and chain. When got down stairs |
Sunday morning had nothing to 60 to Brook |
lvn with, or not the heat to thrust double at |
Fiction upon DR. johnson ana Frank. Found |
my watch in the bar-room pledgcd-got a little |
moro money on II, and started over Monday |
morning to BROOKLYN and went and stayed with |
Herb Ford at 2S6 Court street. Did not get |
away frIm there until this a m, when George |
Ford went to New York with me and redeemed |
my watch and gave me $40 to come home with. |
mad up my mind to end my miserable ex |
istenee, but a life Is not easy to take.
l felt that it would be some comfort to you,
poor mamma, Mary and Edith, to know where |
the body OF your distracted boy was, and, al
though l bad not the courage to face the dis
grace OF my conduct, yet have come as far as
here where am known SO that you can find me |
and give me, at least, decent burial. God pity |
me! May the wreck have made of my life be
a beacon for some other poor unfortunate born
tpo ON 0f J;yzio la rIinu God
knows you deserve some happiness and may
God bless you. Ihave been unkind, migrate
full, harsh but when was myself have meant
to do right. and God knows 1t is my love for
you that drives me to this act Of self destruc
lion or suicide. To drag those love down,
down to misery and perhaps poverty, and have
nv name disgrace to you both who bear it, is
more than | can bear. My affairs for the past
year you know as well as I. Do what you think |
best in regard to everything, and please let my
poor little blue eyed darling think as kindly
0f me as the circumstances will permit. give
how hardy and with so little credit to myself,
without a hope and with only thoughts OF the
pain have caused you ALL Poor mamma
his will break her heart The hope she so long
1as held D: my redemption from this evil was
he clingihg Ola faithful, loving mother to
,hoose. Some will call me crazy l am not.
rhe only feeling have is remorse for my acts,
ny blighted life and the sorrow have caused |
I'll those who ever loved me. II it is not bias
,hemv, would wish to meet you beyond the i
ver where there are no temptations and no
um. Every one | met IN was kind. Will |
,tearns took me to ride ana was sober while
here and am sober as l write these words;
tut swore to myself and to you to either con-
luer or die, and as conquer can't, die | must.
Deal as eniently with my memory as you can,
md God bless You all and may lie have mercy
n my miserable soul.
My watch Geo Ford. 2S6 court street, Brook
yn, has. Pay him $26 II you care for it. Tho
hahn anG charm are on my person, and some
-. Geo and Ell Hawkins | called on at the
brewery on 3l5 4lst st, for a few moments
While waiting for the train at And st, which l
missed this morning. Geo took me out for "a
unch, and each OF them wanted five gallons of
yrup at 20 cents per gallon there, whining
on). Spoke OF their own accord fill order If
'ou wish. May the Father of the widow and
# the fatherless watch over and keep you Is
he last wish OF your most loving and unfortu
late
az Husband and father. ;, b.,
Go to Kiddsr johnson and DR. Rice for ad-
ice and show them as much OF this as You |
are to. My name is on the bunatbook if am
rorthy to die Mason. -.
Mrs Bell arrived att siposac Tunnel, by
pecial train over the Greenfield Valley road
friday evening. The remains of her husband
Yere taken to Readsboro On q special train the
ollowng morning. The funeral was attended
rom his late home at Wilmington Tuesday,
lev w N Barber officiating. The funeral was
nder the conduct OF the focal Masonic body,
t which deceased was prominent member,
nd there was large attendance.
Edward Bell had many exceptional qualif
atoms. young man endowed with more
han an average education, quick to discern,
indy disposed, and, even with his infirmties,
allied about him many friends to whom hl,
ad fate carried sorrow and an impressive les
on. --,.s e-f